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“Fatal
Engagement” Murder Mystery Dinner at Kentlands Mansion
If you love a good mystery,
and can’t wait to solve the crime, then “Fatal Engagement” is your perfect
choice for a romantic night out. On Valentine’s Day weekend there will be a
murder at Kentlands Mansion. You are invited to join the investigation and help
solve the crime.
Enjoy the mystery unfolding
on either Friday or Saturday, February 11 or 12 starting at 7:30 p.m. Admission
is $50, $45 for City of Gaithersburg residents, and includes dinner and show.
Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. Seating is limited and
reservations are suggested by February 9, 2011.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and romance is
in the air. What a perfect time to throw a party, and you're invited! The
Cruditay family is a despicable group of people you love to hate. The matron of
the family, Eustacia Cruditay, is throwing a party to announce the engagement of
her eldest son, Gerome, to Serendipity, the only daughter of billionaire Walter
Worthington III. Things go awry with the unwanted arrival of her younger son,
Bramlet, Walter’s bombshell trophy wife Chloe, and a Mick O’Shea, a waiter with
a heart of gold and no talent for waiting tables. The party quickly crumbles
into a melodramatic disaster that any soap opera would envy, ending, of course,
with thwarted love in all directions – and a murder!
Kentlands Mansion is located at 320 Kent Square Road in
Gaithersburg. Reserve your tickets by phone by calling the adjacent Arts Barn
at 301-258-6394 or purchase online at
Click here.
For more information and directions
Click here.
Animal Control Officer to
be Presented with Police Chief’s Award
On January
4, 2011 officers from the Gaithersburg Police and the Montgomery County Police
6th district station responded to the 800 block of Trotter's Ridge Lane for the
report of shots fired. Esmieu, who was exiting the apartment building, observed
a female standing on the steps with a gun in one hand and a loaded magazine in
the other. Esmieu approached the female from behind and disarmed her. It was
later discovered that she was the same person who fired a shot inside the
residence a few minutes earlier. Upon their arrival, police officers took the
subject into custody and transported her to an area hospital for an Emergency
Evaluation. The subject was delusional and under the influence of prescription
medications and was committed for further
evaluation.
A City employee for more than 15 years, Esmieu has worked for the Animal Control
Division since 2000. His responsibilities include enforcing Gaithersburg’s
animal control codes, investigating, answering complaints and capturing wild or
stray animals, impounding abandoned or stray animals, rescuing animals that are
trapped, lost or injured, inspecting pet environments for humane conditions, and
issuing warnings and citations if necessary. In recognition of outstanding
municipal service, Esmieu received the 2007 Ronald B. Sweitzer Maryland
Municipal Employee of the Year Award presented by the Maryland City/County
Management Association of the Maryland Municipal League.
Gaithersburg Police Name Bennett 2010
Officer of the Year
On January 21,
2011, after a comprehensive review of the supervisory nominations submitted to
the command staff, Officer Jonathan M. Bennett was selected as the 2010 Officer
of the Year for his outstanding commitment to duty, his professionalism and
contributions to the citizens of the City of Gaithersburg and to the
Gaithersburg Police.
Officer
Bennett’s time management, report writing, investigative skills, and steadfast
work ethic set him apart from his peers. He is one to always report for duty
alive with energy. In the area of traffic enforcement for 2010, Officer Bennett
issued 609 citations, 205 warnings, and made 138 DUI arrests. Additionally,
Officer Bennett handled 675 total calls and completed 180 written field
reports. In the area of criminal enforcement, Officer Bennett made 33 adult
arrests. Of particular importance is that Officer Bennett had over 900 citizen
contacts, none of which resulted in a single complaint.
Officer Bennett
participated in the online Child Predator Sting Operation, worked the majority
of the Honor Guard details, served as the Department’s liaison with the Maryland
Special Olympics for the Torch Run/Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for special
needs children, and provided entry level training in conducting Standardized
Field Sobriety Tests so new officers are enabled to detect and arrest impaired
drivers in Montgomery County, thus helping ensure that our streets are safer.
Gaithersburg Police Chief Mark P. Sroka said, “It is inspiring and reassuring to
be witness to an individual who realizes the importance of that which is
required of him and unselfishly devotes the energy and time above that which is
expected in order to maintain the integrity and reputation of the Gaithersburg
Police Department.”
Applications Being
Accepted for Bohrer Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarships
High school seniors who are
residents of the City of Gaithersburg are encouraged to apply for a W. Edward
Bohrer, Jr. Memorial CHARACTER COUNTS! Scholarship. Since the program’s
inception in 1998, 55 high school seniors have received more than $117,000 to
help with their continuing education costs.
Scholarships are awarded at
the discretion of the Educational Enrichment Committee, and are based on the
embodiment of the Six Pillars of Character, personal merit, financial need, and
the student’s commitment to further education. Previous scholarships have
ranged from $1,500 to $3,000 each. Applications are available through school
guidance counselors, principals, senior class sponsors, and on the CHARACTER
COUNTS! page of the City’s website at
Click here.
The deadline for application is 4 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011.
This
program is funded in part by the W. Edward Bohrer Memorial Fund, DRS Signal
Solutions and Rodgers Consulting, Inc. For more information please contact the
Gaithersburg Community Services Division at 301-258-6395 ext. 3.
Arts Barn Presents the Irish Comedy, Stones in His
Pockets
The secrets of stardom are
explored in comedic fashion as the Arts Barn presents a Montgomery Playhouse
production of Stones in His Pockets by Marie Jones. The show runs from
March 4 through 20, 2011, with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
and Sundays at 2 p.m. Admission is $15, $13 for City residents. The comedy
contains some adult language and themes, recommended for audiences 13 and older.
A Hollywood film crew descends on the peaceful
Irish countryside; havoc ensues as the locals try to get a piece of the action
as ”extras” in the movie that is being shot. Jake and Charlie find out that
mixing with the cream of the film industry is not all it’s cracked up to be as
their dream job becomes more challenging than they had ever bargained for! Over
15 characters are played by the two talented and energetic actors in this
comedy.
In 1999 Stones in His
Pockets won the Irish Times/Irish Theatre Award for Best Production and in
2001 it won two Olivier Awards (the British equivalent of the Tony Award) for
Best New Comedy as well as Best Actor. It was also nominated for three Tony
Awards in 2001.
The Arts Barn, Gaithersburg’s
premier cultural arts facility, is located at 311 Kent Square Road,
Gaithersburg. In addition to theatrical productions staged in partnership with
local community groups in its 99-seat theater, the Arts Barn also features an
art gallery, two artist-in-residence studios, art classes, camps, workshops, and
unique retail from local artisans. For more information and tickets call
301-258-6394 or visit online at
Click here.
Free
Financial Literacy Workshops Offered
In partnership with Bank On
Gaithersburg and Maryland CASH (Creating Assets, Savings and Hope), Family
Services, Inc. is offering a series of free financial education workshops at the
Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. The
workshops will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
Lasting approximately two
hours each, the five workshops are designed to help individuals strengthen their
financial skills and make informed financial decisions. The workshops are
taught by professionals representing the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
While admission is free, registration is required. Call Ruth Rivas at
301-840-3218, e-mail
rivasr@fs-inc.org, or register at the beginning of each class.
Banking 101 – Wednesday, January 26, 2011 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Participants will learn why and how to have a checking or
savings account, differences between a credit union and a bank, how to select a
location to open an account, what other services are offered by a bank or credit
union, and how to manage a checking account.
Money Is Not a Four-Letter Word – Wednesday, February 2,
2011 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Participants will learn how to create a spending plan, set
financial goals, manage banking accounts with financial institutions, financial
records organization, and tips to save money.
Credit Reports/Scores – Wednesday, February 16, 2011 – 6 to
8 p.m.
Participants will learn how and why to get their credit
report, what a credit score is, how to rebuild their credit, and how to choose a
credit counseling service.
Smart Consumer – Wednesday, February 23, 2011 – 6 to 8 p.m.
Participants will learn ways to be smart shoppers, whether
buying at thrift stores, shopping for a car, household items, or groceries, as
well as how to avoid common consumer scams such as ID Theft, Work at Home scams,
Credit Repair scams, and more.
Choosing and Using Credit Wisely – Wednesday, March 2, 2011
– 6 to 8 p.m.
Participants will learn the different types of loan
products, places to shop for loans, ways to avoid predatory loans, and how to
use credit wisely and manage debt.
For
additional information or a copy of the Financial Literacy Workshops flier in
English or Spanish, please contact the Gaithersburg Community Services Division
at 301-258-6395 x2 or visit
Click here.
Public
Meetings Scheduled for CDBG Funding
The City of Gaithersburg will
host three public meetings to solicit input on proposed uses of its FY12
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, estimated at $465,000. The
meetings will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick
Avenue on Wednesday and Thursday, February 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. A daytime meeting
is scheduled for Friday, February 11 at 11:30 a.m. at City Hall, 31 South Summit
Avenue. All meetings will be conducted in English and Spanish.
Interested residents,
businesses, organizations and all other persons are encouraged to attend. Staff
will present background on the CDBG program and how it applies within the City
of Gaithersburg. Information on the City’s Fair Housing Plan, including its
current Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, will be provided. Gaithersburg
is currently updating its Fair Housing Plan, as required for receipt of Housing
and Urban Development (HUD) entitlement and McKinney funds. This Plan and the
Annual Action Plan will be available for public comment in mid-April, with final
submission to HUD on May 15, 2011. A Mayor and Council Public Hearing will be
scheduled in March, 2011.
The City
allocates 15 percent of its annual CDBG award to nonprofit providers through a
competitive solicitation. Any 501(c)(3) organization serving Gaithersburg
residents is eligible to apply. For an application and information on the
program, go to the Housing and Community Development link on the City’s website
at
City. For
more information, contact Louise Kauffmann at
Kauffmann or
call 301-258-6320.
Free Tax
Preparation Available for Qualified Individuals
For the
second year, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will operate in
the City of Gaithersburg. Conducted in partnership with the City of
Gaithersburg, the Montgomery County Community Action Agency, and Family
Services, Inc., the VITA program offers free tax preparation assistance to low-
and moderate-income individuals who earn less than $49,000 per year and who are
filing the standard 1040 form.
Preparation
is done by IRS-trained volunteers who assist taxpayers in determining if they
are eligible for the earned income tax credit. Services are offered in both
English and Spanish.
The site,
located at 630 East Diamond Avenue, will be open from January 31 through April
18 from 1 to 8 p.m. Appointments are required. Call 301-258-6395, select
option 6, and leave your name and phone number on the message line. You will be
then be contacted to schedule an appointment. Additional VITA sites are located
in Rockville, Silver Spring and Takoma Park.
Last year
the Gaithersburg site served 731 taxpayers, 89 percent of whom were eligible for
the earned income tax credit. Collectively, across all four VITA sites in
Montgomery County, a total of just over $7 million in refunds was returned to
the 1,975 individuals filing returns.
In Gaithersburg, the VITA
program is marketed under Bank On Gaithersburg, an initiative to draw unbanked
and underbanked individuals into the financial mainstream. Bank On Gaithersburg
helps create relationships among local governments, citizens, local banks and
credit unions, and community partners to ensure that all residents have access
to bank accounts, financial education and other asset-building opportunities.
During the VITA consultations, taxpayers are encouraged to open bank accounts
and use direct deposit to receive their tax refunds. For more information visit
Click here.
Sesma
Appointed Vice Chair of National Environmental Policy Committee
Gaithersburg City Council
Member Michael A. Sesma has been named Vice Chair of the National League of
Cities’ (NLC) Energy, Environment and Natural Resources (EENR) Steering
Committee. Sesma, who was elected to the Gaithersburg City Council in 2005, has
served on the EENR committee since 2007.
Responsible for developing
policy recommendations on issues such as air quality, water quality, energy
policy, national wetlands policy, noise control, and solid and hazardous waste
management, the EENR committee will discuss and identify specific policy issues
within these areas to be addressed at the federal level in the coming year.
“Gaithersburg is a leader
when it comes to environmental issues and sustainable growth,” said Council
Member Sesma. “How a city deals with these issues allows the best use of tax
dollars, improves the environment, enhances the local economy and raises the
overall quality of life. I look forward to sharing Gaithersburg’s vision with
this Committee, and learning from my colleagues across the country how we, as a
team, can advocate for and improve environmental practices at the municipal
level.”
NLC is the
nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting
cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource
and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218
million Americans. For more information visit
NLC. For
more information on the Gaithersburg City Council visit
City.
Public
Comment Sought on Land Use Element of City’s Master Plan
The City of Gaithersburg is
seeking public comment on Draft Land Use Element MP-1-11, the fourth amendment
to the draft 2009 Land Use Element for the City’s comprehensive Master Plan.
The Land Use Element proposes the most appropriate and desirable uses of public
and private land, making recommendations for both use and zoning. The City’s
Master Plan is updated every six years.
The Land Use Element serves
as an informational and policy document for the Gaithersburg Mayor and City
Council, the Planning Commission, other boards and committees, and the residents
of Gaithersburg. It makes specific recommendations for land use and zoning for
the properties identified. Ultimately, together with other Master Plan
Elements, the Land Use Element supports the visions, policies and principles of
the City.
The draft
2009 Land Use Element is available for review on the City’s website at
Masterplan.
A joint public hearing is scheduled for Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in
the City Hall Council Chambers. Comment may be made in writing to: Planning &
Code Administration, 31 South Summit Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 or via
e-mail to
Plancode.
For additional information please call 301-258-6330.
Donate
Used Books for School Children at City Flea Markets
Have your children outgrown
some of their books, or read them so often that it’s time for a new story?
Donations of gently used children’s books are being accepted at the City of
Gaithersburg Indoor Flea Markets this winter and spring. All books will be
donated to local elementary schools. This effort is being conducted by the
Gaithersburg Book Festival committee, which is organizing the second annual
Gaithersburg Book Festival on the grounds of City Hall on May 21, 2011.
Gaithersburg’s winter and
spring Indoor Flea Markets offer great deals and hot bargains on unique items.
The Markets, held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., are scheduled for January
15, February 19, March 19 and April 16, 2011 at the Montgomery County
Agricultural Center, 16 Chestnut Street in Gaithersburg. Admission is free.
There is still room for those
looking to sell gently used and new items at these flea markets. Table fees for
residents selling used items are $17 per space. The cost for nonresidents is
$22. Table fees for residents selling new items are $22 per space, while the
cost for nonresidents is $27.
For more
information on the Flea Markets please contact the Department of Parks,
Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350 or visit
City Events.
For information on the Gaithersburg Book Festival visit
Book Festival.
Local
Schools Receive GREAT Awards for Impactful Programming
On January 18, 2011 the
Gaithersburg Educational Enrichment Committee and the Mayor and City Council
presented Diamond Elementary, Gaithersburg Elementary and Ridgeview Middle
Schools with GREAT Awards. GREAT, which stands for Gaithersburg Recognizing
Educational Achievement Today, seeks to promote and celebrate higher achievement
and best practices in Gaithersburg area schools.
The Student Government and
Parent Teacher Associations at Diamond Elementary School were recognized for
sponsoring community service activities that included food and clothing drives,
fundraisers to advance the school’s technology, and Mini-Walks to help the
homeless. The school is also celebrating its Maryland School Assessment score
successes and the increase in advanced reading scores for grades three through
five over the past six years.
Gaithersburg Elementary
School (GES) was recognized for the participation of both parents and the
greater community during outreach events that included Back to School Night, the
School Open House, Literacy Night, and Parent Academy opportunities.
Collaborative efforts are ensuring success for every student at GES.
Ridgeview Middle School office staff Janet Parrish, Nancy Kerr, Alicia Newlands,
Feri Janhanmir, and Ellen Levy, along with para-educators April Curtis, Carol
Clauser, Jacqueline Carpenter, Judith Koval, Valerie Martinez, and Barbara
Wagner-James, were recognized for their above-and-beyond support of the school’s
positive behavior interventions and support incentives programs.
For
information on the GREAT Program please contact the City of Gaithersburg
Community Services Division at 301-258-6395 x2 or visit the City’s website at
Community Services.
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